Last night I had lots to write but I was too tired. And these stories below should come with photos attached if I were any kind of real blogger. So expect them shortly. I promise.
Anna's first day in her new class was a big hit. No need to slowly transition over. Once they placed her in there, there was no looking back. She met up with her old friends and seems to like the new teachers lots. She drank from a non-sippy cup (no lid, which she loves to do at home when we're feeling daring), played on the bigger-toddler playground, went to the library, did some art work, and even slept on the mat without a paci for 2 hours. These teachers are of the mindset of helping to get these little addicts off of the paci. So I told them to try whatever they wanted. They say she didn't ask for the paci all day. That is, till I showed up. She knows mommy is a sucker. Besides, I suspect she was good and distracted all day yesterday by her new surroundings, and it won't be long till the paci rears its ugly head for naptime in her new classroom. I guess we'll see! I really like her new teachers, and the classroom has so much fun stuff to play with. Comparing that to her previous classroom, yeah, this new classroom is where Anna belongs. This morning when we walked in, K was playing with dinosaurs. How cool is that? The didn't have dinos in the other room. On the wall, the alphabet is displayed, as well as fruits and stuff that Anna knows and likes. There's a play kitchen and a big rack of books that Anna's going to drown herself in (baby loves books). The kiddos have their own coat hooks right outside the door, like little big-kids, as well as their own cubby. They go to the library (which they say Anna enjoyed yesterday) and they even start learning Spanish (though eck, I admit I'd prefer French). She did art work that required them painting her hands and they said she was amazed by it.
Note to self: I guess it's time to start doing some structured activities with her like this at home? Like this weekend when Paul's working so we're not bored to death.
They will even start working on potty training in this room if we ask.
Yeah, it's definitely the room Anna should be in. Her old teachers will miss her, and likewise, but she is fitting in well here. This new environment is exactly what she needs. She was EXHAUSTED when she got home yesterday and said she had fun. So YAY!
******
In other news, I met with Dr. P, the prof who usually teaches the undergraduate Human Physiology Class at the local university. I'll be teaching that class in the Spring. That's right, finally a group of 50+ people will be calling me Dr. Ruttley. That will seem strange at first but I imagine I'll get used to it. As at sat in the meeting with Dr. P yesterday, I was reminded over and over again that I was finally the one on the other side of the table. The prof who is going to be teaching a super challenging course to a bunch of students whose futures could depend on how well they do and what they learn. If you have a sucky instructor, a challenging course will also suck. To be hated forever.
Me: So, um, are there any rules on exam grading, extra credit, grading on a curve?
Dr. P: Here are my thoughts...but it's anyway you'd like to work it. It's your class
Me (to myself): Really? I can torture these students with all-essay exams questions? I can make them write their answers upside down for extra credit?
Wait, this is way too much power.
I am honestly surprised I was just hired by the university to be an adjunct and for all they know I could be a psycho bitch with a tendency to take it out on other people. Specifically students. Shouldn't I like practice or something? An intense interview to decide whether I'd be a good teacher? But I guess it wouldn't be too long into the session before they figured that one out ;)
Here it is all laid out: I am a little freaked out that I am going to teach such a super challenging course to a bunch of students who are basically sitting where I was at their age (different University). I had kick-ass Physiology professors who made it fun, even though the tests were super hard. I am a little freaked out that they'll all be looking at me on the first night with expressions that indicate they're sizing me up, wondering if I'll be a hard-core bitch or flexible and friendly. Here's a hint: it'll be somewhere in-between. I remember being a student, and all that was a stake in these classes. I remember what worked and what didn't. So hopefully it'll be enough. In the meantime, how cool is it I get to be the boss here? On the other side? Heh heh heh. Even cooler is the fact that my good friend, ZCM, who also got me this position, is teaching the lab part. So here we are, Tara and ZCM, running UHCL Human Physiology.
This is going to be super sweet. Or super challenging. Am I nuts?
There's just one little catch to all of this: ummm, I really need to go and review my Physiology. I'm a Neuroscientist/Engineer. It's been awhile since I learned how hormones are made and targeted, much less remember the basics of a cardiac cell. Ha! I have till Jan 21, the first night of class.
***
And to end an exciting day, a story revolving around Karma.
Paul's truck was broken into yesterday when he and his office manager, C were at a medical billing seminar in Austin. In the parking lot of the Double Tree hotel, his back side window was smashed in, and doors wide open when he found it. The glove box and center console ransacked, all that was apparently taken was Paul and C's overnight clothes, toiletries, and make-up (thank goodness it was only one night's worth). They were too stupid to realize that the business checkbook and credit cards were in a binder in plain sight. They had even picked it up from the back seat and moved it to the front but took nothing. They didn't even take Anna's DVD player or the CD's. Honestly my first thought was please tell me they didn't take the Britax car seat! The cop laughed and said these guys didn't know what they'd missed by not taking the car seat.
Either they were:
- really stupid; or,
-caught in the act and fled before they could get the good stuff; or,
-just needed clothes
Either way, this is not our karma. This is not our energy. This kind of thing doesn't happen to us. Though yes, bad things do happen to good people. So I think this is not about us, but about the thieves. They must have some real soul issues going on and I'd hate to be in their shoes. Or maybe this is a lesson to Paul that he should stop leaving his valuables in plain sight!!! Karma has given him a second chance by sparing all of his financials. How lucky is he? I hope he gets this concept. Take your valuables out of the car, people. Especially you people (Paul, I'm calling you out) whose little family's financial security rests on your good judgement. Don't leave your valuables in the car. Please. This affects us.
In the meantime, Paul and C had to drive home to Houston in a cold front with wind and rain. We're going to investigate insurance claims and all that good crap. What a pain. What will we (or have we) learned from this? We'll figure it out. On the drive home, I could tell in Paul's voice on the phone that he was already feeling better and upbeat about it all. You can't help but feel violated, though. Negative people with their sick energy touching your personal stuff. Ick. But he was upbeat because there's a reason for it, and because the people at the hotel were really caring and interested and helpful, and will pursue this on their own, including reviews of the surveillance tape. Plus the Austin cop was responsive, friendly, and went the extra mile. Even tried to get fingerprints, but could not get any good ones. All of that help and caring really goes a long way to counter the negative situation. So in the end, our financials are safe, Paul and C are safe, and the truck is usable. What's left is nuisance. We're grateful for that.
Anna's first day in her new class was a big hit. No need to slowly transition over. Once they placed her in there, there was no looking back. She met up with her old friends and seems to like the new teachers lots. She drank from a non-sippy cup (no lid, which she loves to do at home when we're feeling daring), played on the bigger-toddler playground, went to the library, did some art work, and even slept on the mat without a paci for 2 hours. These teachers are of the mindset of helping to get these little addicts off of the paci. So I told them to try whatever they wanted. They say she didn't ask for the paci all day. That is, till I showed up. She knows mommy is a sucker. Besides, I suspect she was good and distracted all day yesterday by her new surroundings, and it won't be long till the paci rears its ugly head for naptime in her new classroom. I guess we'll see! I really like her new teachers, and the classroom has so much fun stuff to play with. Comparing that to her previous classroom, yeah, this new classroom is where Anna belongs. This morning when we walked in, K was playing with dinosaurs. How cool is that? The didn't have dinos in the other room. On the wall, the alphabet is displayed, as well as fruits and stuff that Anna knows and likes. There's a play kitchen and a big rack of books that Anna's going to drown herself in (baby loves books). The kiddos have their own coat hooks right outside the door, like little big-kids, as well as their own cubby. They go to the library (which they say Anna enjoyed yesterday) and they even start learning Spanish (though eck, I admit I'd prefer French). She did art work that required them painting her hands and they said she was amazed by it.
Note to self: I guess it's time to start doing some structured activities with her like this at home? Like this weekend when Paul's working so we're not bored to death.
They will even start working on potty training in this room if we ask.
Yeah, it's definitely the room Anna should be in. Her old teachers will miss her, and likewise, but she is fitting in well here. This new environment is exactly what she needs. She was EXHAUSTED when she got home yesterday and said she had fun. So YAY!
******
In other news, I met with Dr. P, the prof who usually teaches the undergraduate Human Physiology Class at the local university. I'll be teaching that class in the Spring. That's right, finally a group of 50+ people will be calling me Dr. Ruttley. That will seem strange at first but I imagine I'll get used to it. As at sat in the meeting with Dr. P yesterday, I was reminded over and over again that I was finally the one on the other side of the table. The prof who is going to be teaching a super challenging course to a bunch of students whose futures could depend on how well they do and what they learn. If you have a sucky instructor, a challenging course will also suck. To be hated forever.
Me: So, um, are there any rules on exam grading, extra credit, grading on a curve?
Dr. P: Here are my thoughts...but it's anyway you'd like to work it. It's your class
Me (to myself): Really? I can torture these students with all-essay exams questions? I can make them write their answers upside down for extra credit?
Wait, this is way too much power.
I am honestly surprised I was just hired by the university to be an adjunct and for all they know I could be a psycho bitch with a tendency to take it out on other people. Specifically students. Shouldn't I like practice or something? An intense interview to decide whether I'd be a good teacher? But I guess it wouldn't be too long into the session before they figured that one out ;)
Here it is all laid out: I am a little freaked out that I am going to teach such a super challenging course to a bunch of students who are basically sitting where I was at their age (different University). I had kick-ass Physiology professors who made it fun, even though the tests were super hard. I am a little freaked out that they'll all be looking at me on the first night with expressions that indicate they're sizing me up, wondering if I'll be a hard-core bitch or flexible and friendly. Here's a hint: it'll be somewhere in-between. I remember being a student, and all that was a stake in these classes. I remember what worked and what didn't. So hopefully it'll be enough. In the meantime, how cool is it I get to be the boss here? On the other side? Heh heh heh. Even cooler is the fact that my good friend, ZCM, who also got me this position, is teaching the lab part. So here we are, Tara and ZCM, running UHCL Human Physiology.
This is going to be super sweet. Or super challenging. Am I nuts?
There's just one little catch to all of this: ummm, I really need to go and review my Physiology. I'm a Neuroscientist/Engineer. It's been awhile since I learned how hormones are made and targeted, much less remember the basics of a cardiac cell. Ha! I have till Jan 21, the first night of class.
***
And to end an exciting day, a story revolving around Karma.
Paul's truck was broken into yesterday when he and his office manager, C were at a medical billing seminar in Austin. In the parking lot of the Double Tree hotel, his back side window was smashed in, and doors wide open when he found it. The glove box and center console ransacked, all that was apparently taken was Paul and C's overnight clothes, toiletries, and make-up (thank goodness it was only one night's worth). They were too stupid to realize that the business checkbook and credit cards were in a binder in plain sight. They had even picked it up from the back seat and moved it to the front but took nothing. They didn't even take Anna's DVD player or the CD's. Honestly my first thought was please tell me they didn't take the Britax car seat! The cop laughed and said these guys didn't know what they'd missed by not taking the car seat.
Either they were:
- really stupid; or,
-caught in the act and fled before they could get the good stuff; or,
-just needed clothes
Either way, this is not our karma. This is not our energy. This kind of thing doesn't happen to us. Though yes, bad things do happen to good people. So I think this is not about us, but about the thieves. They must have some real soul issues going on and I'd hate to be in their shoes. Or maybe this is a lesson to Paul that he should stop leaving his valuables in plain sight!!! Karma has given him a second chance by sparing all of his financials. How lucky is he? I hope he gets this concept. Take your valuables out of the car, people. Especially you people (Paul, I'm calling you out) whose little family's financial security rests on your good judgement. Don't leave your valuables in the car. Please. This affects us.
In the meantime, Paul and C had to drive home to Houston in a cold front with wind and rain. We're going to investigate insurance claims and all that good crap. What a pain. What will we (or have we) learned from this? We'll figure it out. On the drive home, I could tell in Paul's voice on the phone that he was already feeling better and upbeat about it all. You can't help but feel violated, though. Negative people with their sick energy touching your personal stuff. Ick. But he was upbeat because there's a reason for it, and because the people at the hotel were really caring and interested and helpful, and will pursue this on their own, including reviews of the surveillance tape. Plus the Austin cop was responsive, friendly, and went the extra mile. Even tried to get fingerprints, but could not get any good ones. All of that help and caring really goes a long way to counter the negative situation. So in the end, our financials are safe, Paul and C are safe, and the truck is usable. What's left is nuisance. We're grateful for that.
2 comments:
You can help me review for my physiology final to help with your focus and motivation. It is scheduled for the 23rd. I won't be a very good student though because I just want to pass the class not remember everything. I can look that stuff up when I need it!
Glad Anna loves her new class. I have clothes for you for her. Most of them summer clothes but also some almost new 2t-3t underwear just perfect for little girls who are potty training! I think they have Dora on them. Or maybe Elmo? I can't remember. But you see the motivation for her wanting to wear them with such cool characters on them.
That sucks for Paul. I hope is was someone who just needed to keep warm for the night and only took what they had. I am glad that everyone is safe.
Anna is growing up so fast. I can't wait to see her more.
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